פֹּה (poh)
poh
here
H:AdvQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 37 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Adv
Word Overview
The Hebrew word poh functions as a straightforward adverb meaning "here" or "hither." It pinpoints a specific location, anchoring the reader in the immediate physical setting of the narrative. In Genesis 19:12, for instance, it directs attention to the place where Lot is standing, while in 1 Samuel 16:11, it signals movement toward a person, translating effectively as "hither."
Its etymology likely combines a demonstrative particle with the pronoun for "this," creating a sense of pointing directly at the present spot. This concrete usage appears frequently in historical books like Kings and prophetic texts such as Isaiah. The word grounds abstract commands or visions in tangible reality, reminding the audience that divine words are spoken and received in actual places.
Translators consistently render poh as "here" or "hither," preserving its simple directional force without adding emotional weight. It serves as a linguistic marker of presence, ensuring that the listener understands exactly where events are unfolding or where attention must be focused.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word poh simply means "here." It points to a specific place in time and space. In the Bible, this small word often marks where God meets people. It reminds us that faith is not just about abstract ideas but about real life in real places.
When Scripture uses poh, it grounds divine encounters in tangible reality. You might find yourself reading of someone being told to stay "here" or asking why they are "here." These moments show that God cares about our immediate surroundings and current situation. He is present in the now, not just in some distant future.
This awareness can bring comfort. It suggests that you do not need to look far away for meaning or direction. Your current location, however ordinary it seems, can be the place of encounter. God meets us where we are, inviting us into relationship right here and now.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 37 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- here38×
- and/ here2×
- [is] here1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פֹּ֥ה4×
- פֹּ֖ה4×
- פֹּה֙3×
- פֹה֙3×
- פֹֽה\׃3×
- פֹ֗ה3×
- פֹ֖ה3×
- פֹ֔ה3×
- פֹּ֤ה2×
- פֹ֛ה2×
- פֹּה֮1×
- פֹּֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 19:12
The men said to Lot, “Do you have anybody else here? Sons-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place:
This verse uses poh to highlight the urgency of Lot's immediate surroundings as judgment approaches.
-
Deuteronomy 5:31
But as for you, stand here by me, and I will tell you all the commandments, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess.”
Here, Moses is told to stand "here" to receive direct instruction, marking a place of divine revelation.
-
I Kings 19:9
He came to a cave there, and camped there; and behold, Yahweh’s word came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
God asks Elijah, "What are you doing here?" using poh to confront the prophet's current spiritual state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word poh mean?
How is poh different from other Hebrew words for place?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (37 verses across 16 books)
Genesis 3 verses
The men said to Lot, “Do you have anybody else here? Sons-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in…
Genesis 22:5Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there. We will worship, and come…
Genesis 40:15For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me…